Muhlenbergia is quite common in Georgia and is known for its bright pink blooms in autumn. It’s particularly nice to see in masses on the dunes.
Muhlenbergia, East Beach
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Tag Archives: Georgia Beaches
Memorial Day Weekend, St. Simons Island
Patriotic displays are the rule on Coast Guard (East) Beach this weekend. Memorial Day weekend is the traditional kickoff for the summer season and huge crowds descend on all of Georgia’s beaches to celebrate.
East Beach Tribute Tree, St. Simons Island
I talked to a couple of locals while admiring the latest additions to this driftwood totem, used to post remembrances of lost loved ones and pets earlier this summer and known as the “Tribute Tree”.
The first thing that caught my eye was this strip of vinyl siding with the legend “St. Simons 1-Matthew 0” in reference to the lack of damage the island sustained during this year’s hurricane.
Ornaments were actually being placed while I was getting the shots. I imagine the tree will be full by Christmas day.
Catamarans at East Beach, St. Simons Island
Willet, Gould’s Inlet
The Willet (Tringa semipalmata) is one of numerous shorebirds you’re likely to encounter at Gould’s Inlet. It’s a great place to look for fall migrants.
Gould’s Inlet, St. Simons Island
Located north of the Coast Guard Station at the end of Bruce Drive, Gould’s Inlet is to me the most beautiful remaining beach on St. Simons Island. It is the opening of Postell Creek, which divides St. Simons and Sea Island. It is primarily known as a wildlife viewing area and is easiest to visit in the fall and winter, due to limited parking at the public access point. Currents and undertow here are known to be quite dangerous, so it’s not generally favorable for swimming. When I visited on a cool December day, it was as if the beach were reinventing itself through ribbons of sand, racing over the shore and changing shape in real time.
Wind Worn Oak, Jekyll Island
The effects of wind and sand over time stunt the growth of the trees along the shoreline and create magical patterns. This one near the middle of the island was shot at night.
Beachscapes of Jekyll Island
Ghost Crab, Jekyll Island
The Atlantic Ghost Crab (Ocypode quadrata) or Ghost Fiddler can be spotted at the edges of dunes and vegetation all over the Georgia coast, though they can be a bit elusive, quickly disappearing into the sand [below].
Glory Beach, Jekyll Island
Used as a location for the Civil War epic Glory, this pristine beach at the south end of Jekyll Island has come to be known as Glory Beach in the years since.
It’s an important nesting habitat for sea turtles, and one of the least crowded beaches on Jekyll Island [most of the time].
The south end of the beach is the extreme southern end of the island and offers unspoiled views of Cumberland Island [seen in the distance, below].
